Vehicle-mounted hoist

ABSTRACT

A box frame reinforced by the walls of oil reservoirs has a prefabricated tubular core sleeve on which mast bearings are assembled in inherent alignment. The structure of the main and jib booms is such as to yield high ratio of strength in relation to weight and the tying of the hinge points of the boom and operating cylinder to each other as well as to the mast gives stability. A worm gear connected to the lower end of the mast provides for 360* rotation accommodated by swiveled hydraulic manifold connections. The stabilizer legs are not only strong per se but brace the hoist frame.

United States Patent nit-1510561 Ser. N1). 6J316 37Qlune5. 1357.

[54] VEHICLE-MOUNTED HOIST 2 Claims, 17 Drawing Figs.

52 u.s.c1 212/1, 212/35. 212/55v 212/59. 212/144, 212/66, 212 145 [51]InLCl B66c 5/00 [50] FieldofSearch 212/135, 46, 58, 59,144, 8, 6668,l44-145, 30-34 Primary Examiner-J-larvey C. Hornsby Atmrney--Wheeler,House & Wheeler ABSTRACT: A box frame reinforced by the walls of oilreservoirs has a prefabricated tubular core sleeve on which mastbearings are assembled in inherent alignment. The structure of the mainand jib booms is such as to yield high ratio of strength in relation toweight and the tying of the hinge points of the boom and operatingcylinder to each other as well as to the mast gives stability. A wormgear connected to the lower end of the mast provides for 360 rotationaccommodated by swiveled hydraulic manifold connections. The stabilizerlegs are not only strong per se but brace the hoist frame.

PATENTEUJUNZSISYI 3.589.526

SHEET 2 [1F 6 I, MM,M'MYM PATENTEflJuuzelsn 3 589,526

sum u OF 6 ATTOR N VEHICLE-MOUNTED IIIOIS'I This application is adivision of Ser. No. 643,637, filed June 5, I967 for a Vehicle-MountedHoist.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A hoist having a box frame andwinch-operated boom-actuating connections is shown in US. Pat. No.2,923,418. The instant device completely eliminates any winch, allmovements of the main boom and jib boom being individually hydraulicallymotivated. In addition, the accuracy of the bearings for the meat isgreatly improved and the cost of production is greatly decreased by anarrangement in which all bearings are related to a core tube which isprefabricated and is then mounted unitarily as part of the frame.

Mast rotation for a full 360 is provided by a worm and worm geararrangement, the relative movement of the various hydraulic connectionsbeing accommodated by a manifolding arrangement which is preferablybelow the mast bearings. The worm gear is adjustable on the mast tomaintain perfect registration with the worm.

The boom and jib boom are of special design and have a unique mountingon the mast. The stabilizer legs have design features comparable tothose of the boom and their connection with the frame and the vehiclecontributes not only to the effectiveness of the legs but to the bracingof the frame of the hoist.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION The invention comprises the special features towhich reference has been made above, including:

1. The particular box section of the frame, which not only providesunusual strength but also provides storage reservoirs for the hydraulicliquid so that the hydraulic system is self-contained.

2. The provision in the hoist frame of a prefabricated core tube whichis separately machined at minimum expense to position the mast bearingsin inherent alignment, no machining of the rest of the frame beingrequired.

3. Complete freedom of rotation of the mast in either direction andthrough any angle, an easily adjustable worm and worm gear set providingthe motive power.

4. Swiveled manifolding providing connections to hydraulic hoses whichlead from control valves to the various ram cylinders.

5. The provision at the top of the mast of a head fitting which providesa pintle for the boom and another pintle for the boom-operatingcylinder, these pintles being tied to each other as well as to the mast.

6. A unique box structure of the boom and jib boom and the respectivestabilizer legs, giving great strength in relation to weight.

Details of these and other features will be elaborated upon thefollowing description of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a view of the hoist in sideelevation, a stabilizing leg being omitted and the vehicle frame onlyfragmentarily illustrated.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged detail view in perspective fragmentatily showing avehicle frame and a hoist frame mounted thereon, the prefabricated coretube of the hoist frame being shown separated from the rest of the frameand with a sidewall portion broken away.

FIG. 3 is a view taken in section on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a view taken in section on the line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a view taken in transverse vertical section through the frameportion of the hoist, the boom and its operating cylinder beingfragmentarily illustrated.

FIG. 6 is a detail view taken in section on the line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary detail view taken in section on line 7-7 of FIG.6.

FIG. 8 is a view taken in section showing in mutually separatedpositions portions of the mast top fitting, with a fragment of the mastand the mounting for the mast operating ram.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary detail view on an enlarged scale taken insection on line 9-9 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the boom,jib boom and extension.

FIG. 11 is a view taken in section on the line 11-11 of FIG. 10, partsof the boom and jib boom being broken away.

FIG. 12 is a view taken in section on an enlarged scale in the planeindicated by the line 12-12 of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a view taken in section on an enlarged scale on the line13-13 of FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary detail view taken on the line 14-14of FIGS.

FIG. 15 is a view in cross section taken on the line 15-15 of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a view in transverse section through the vehicle frame andfragmentarily illustrating the hoist frame and stabilizing legs in rearelevation.

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary side elevation of the parts shown in FIG. 16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION General Organization A hoist embodying thisinvention includes a box frame 20, a completely rotatable mast 22, aboom 24 pivoted to the mast, ajib boom 26 pivoted to the free end ofboom 24 and a boom extension 28 for the work-supporting hook 30. Asshown in FIG. ll, the boom and jib boom and boom extension are movablein a vertical plane through a wide range of angle. The main frame 20 ofthe hoist is mounted directly on the side members of the vehicle frame32 as best shown in FIG. 2 and is anchored to the vehicle frame bysideplates 34. It is also braced by the stabilizer legs 36. As bestshown in FIG. 16, these legs comprise lateral arms 38 connected at theirinner ends with the vehicle frame 32 and have their outer ends connectedby brace members 40 with the hoist frame 20. The legs 42 aretelescopically reciprocable in the brace members 40 and are extended andretracted by hydraulic rams 44. At their lower ends, the legs 42 havefeet 46 which are pivoted and self-adjusting in engagement with theearth. The details will now be described.

The Hoist Frame As best shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the hoist frame 20comprises side members 50 resting at their ends on the vehicle framemembers 32 and extending upwardly in general parallelism. While it isnot essential that the overall width of the hoist frame 2 shouldcorrespond with the width of the vehicle frame, it is advantageous thatthe outer surfaces of the side members 50 be in the plane of thecorresponding surfaces of the frame members 32 so that the mountingplates 34 welded or otherwise secured to the hoist frame 20 will lap thevehicle frame members 32 and may be welded or otherwise fastenedsecurely to the vehicle, the general arrangement being best shown inFIG. 2 and FIG. 16.

Each of the side members 50 has its side margins curved at 52 to provideflanges 54. The margins of these flanges are turned sharply inward at 56to engage webs 58. These webs are welded at 60 to the respective sidemembers and they are also welded at 62 to the margins of flanges 56.Inwardly of welds 62 the webs are mutually divergent at 64 and they haveflanges 66 turned sharply inwardly and welded to a tube 70. This tube ispreferably prefabricated to position the bearings for the mast 22although it is a useful component of the frame even without using it tolocate the mast bearings. The advantage of using it for locating thebearings is that the machining required is simple and inexpensive ascompared with what it would cost to machine the frame as a whole.

Within the frame are cavities or compartments 72 and 74, respectively.In practice, these may be used as reservoirs for the oil or other fluidused in the ram pressure system by means of which the parts of the hoistare operated. However, the frame structure is inherently strong and hasutility whether or not the cavities are so used.

The hoist frame 20 includes an upper deck 76, and an intermediate deck78. The top deck 76 is welded to the upper margins of the side members50, the inturned flanges thereof and all top portions of the webs 58. Ittherefore provides top closures for the reservoirs 72 and 74. Theprefabricated bearing tube 70 extends through an appropriate opening 82in the top deck and is welded to the deck.

The intermediate deck 78 extends through slots 84 in the flange portion56 of the side members 50. It is welded to side members 50 and to theflange thereof and to the lower margins of all portions of the webs 58and also to the prefabricated bearing tube 70, thereby providing bottomclosure for the oil reservoirs 72 and 74 (see FIGS. 2 and It iscustomary to provide suitable access openings for filling and/ordraining reservoirs.

The shelf 80 within frame does not completely span the space between theside members 50. It is supported by bolts 86 screwed into a ring 88welded to the lower end of the bearing tube 70 as best shown in FIG. 5.The housing 90 carried by the shelf member 80 provides an oil bath forthe worm gear 92 mounted on the lower end of mast 22 in the mannerhereinafter described. The worm gear 92 meshes with a worm 94 which isdriven through reduction gearing from a motor 96 (preferably but notnecessarily hydraulic). This gearing includes a worm 98 on the motoroutput shaft 100. The shaft 102 of the worm 94 carries a worm gear 104with which the worm 98 meshes as best shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8. The

bearings 106 and 108 for the mast-driving worm 94 are fixed in thecasing 90 and any required adjustment in level between the worm 94 andthe worm gear 92 is effected by releasing the bolts 110 and rotating thering nut 112 on its threaded connection with the driving sleeve 14 atthe lower end of mast 22. The ring nut 112 supports the hub 116 of theworm gear 92 as clearly shown in FIGS. 5 and 14.

Mast Bearings The mast 22 is provided with bearings on the prefabricatedbearing tube 70 to simplify machining, to increase accuracy, and toavoid the expense of machining the whole hoist frame 20 to provide ormount such bearings. The bolts 86 which connect the plate 80 to thelower end of tube 70 also support a bushing 120 in which the lower endbearing 122 of mast 22 is rotatable. The upper end of the bearing tube70, where it projects through the top member 76 of the hoist frame, isencircled by a ring 124 which is welded to the housing top plate 76 asshown in FIG. 5. Interiorly the bearing tube- 70 is machined at 128 toreceive and position the race 130 of a supporting thrust and radialbearing 131. Race 130 is bolted to the ring 124. The outer bearing race134, which confines the bearing balls 136, encircles the mast 22 insupporting relation to a specially designed head 140 at the upper end ofthe mast.

The head 140 comprises a sleeve 142 spaced outwardly from the mast bymeans of upper and lower discs 144 and 146 mounted on the mast. Cappingthe sleeve 142 is a plate 148 welded to the upper end of the mast.

The accurate alignment of thrust bearing 131 at the upper end of themast with bushing 120 at the lower end of the mast is assured in theprefabrication of tube 70 by simple and inexpensive machining ofshoulder 128 at the top and internal ring or collar 88 which carriesbushing 120 at the lower end of the bearing tube 70.

Boom Mounting The masthead 140 has welded to its sleeve portion 142 apair of brackets 150 which are spaced circumferentially of sleeve 142and contribute to the support of the boom pintle 152. These bracketsalso carry the pintle 154 which is the sole support for the ram 156which raises and lowers the boom (FIGS. 5,8 and 9).

Connecting the brackets at their upper ends is a sleeve 158 throughwhich the pintle 152 passes.

In order further to stabilize the load-bearing boom pintle 152, pairs ofcars 160 are welded to the cap plate 148 of the masthead. The ears ofeach pair are connected by sleeves 162 into which pintle 152 is fitted.The boom 24 hereinafter described in detail has, at each side, pairs ofmutually spaced sideplates 164. At each side of the boom the plates 164are mutually spaced to lie adjacent opposite sides of the ears 160 andare provided with bushings 166 bearing on the pintle 152. Thus the boombears on the extremities of the pintle as well as being supportedtherefrom at intermediate points, all points of pintle support beingdirectly adjacent the ears 160 which are welded to the mast cap.

The intermediate bearing supports of the boom are also in immediateproximity to the brackets 150 which are not only welded to the mast capalong the sleeve 142 and the cap plate 148 but serve to connect the boompintle 152 with the ram pintle 154 to locate these pintles accuratelywith reference to each other as well as to the mast.

The Main Boom The boom 24 is shown in cross section in FIG. 8 tocomprise side members 168 each of which has boxlike sections, comprisinga downwardly opening upper channel 170 and an upwardly opening lowerchannel 172. The side flanges 174 of such channels may be connected bysideplates 176 welded thereto. The load-bearing end portion 178 of theboom is reinforced by applying the sideplates 164 to respective sidemembers 168, these being provided with said bushings 166 bearing on theboom pintle 152.

Spanning the pivoted end of the main boom 24 and welded to the topchannels 170 of the respective side members 168 is a transverse plate180 which as shown in FIG. 8, may be relatively short, if desired.Intermediate the ends of the boom 24, the side members 168 havereinforcing plates 184 applied to the inner sides of each of thesideplates 168 of boxlike side members 176. Upper and lower angles 186and 188 span the space between these box members and are welded at theirends to the reinforcing plates 184 as best shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. Thereinforcing plates extend above and below the respective side members168 of the boom 24. Below the boom the reinforcing plates 184 providesupport for the pintle 190 to which the connecting rod 192 of the ram156 is attached. Above the boom is a similar pintle at 194 for ram 196which operates thejib boom presently to be described.

A pintle 198 at the end of boom 24 supports the jib boom 26 for pivotalmovement.

The Jib Boom The jib boom 26 is pivoted at its rear end on the pintle198 at the end of the main boom 24. The jib boom has a boxlike crosssection comprising sides 202 and 204 (FIGS. 11, 12 and 13) with inwardlybent top flanges 206, 208, respectively, and corresponding inwardly bentbottom flanges 210, 212. These sides and flanges are welded totransverse plates 218 and 220 and to reinforcing channels 214 at the topand 216 at the bottom. The upper plate 218 provides a roller guidewayfor the boom extension as hereinafter described. As will be evident fromFIG. 12, the entire structure is extremely strong.

Bracket plates 222 extending downwardly at the sides of the rear endportion of the jib 26 are braced by transverse angle 224 and support apintle 226 to which the connection rod 228 of the ram 196 is pivoted forthe operation of the jib boom pivotally on pintle 198 with respect tothe main boom 24.

Internally the brackets 200 of the main boom also supportpintle-mounting member 250 for the ram 232 which extends through the jibboom and rcciprocates the boom extension 28.

Near its free outer end the jib boom 26 is reinforced by plates 242 and244 applied to its sideplates 202 and 204 as best shown in FIG. 13.These plates carry bearing blocks 246, 248 for the shaft 250 of a roller252 upon which rides the intermediate portion of the extension boom 28.A roller 270 at the rear end of the extension boom rides against theupper plate 218 of the jib boom 24 as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 andhereinafter described.

The Boom Extension The boom extension 28 is rectangular in cross sectionand comprises upper channel 254 and lower channel 256 with theinterconnecting sideplates 258 and 260 as best shown in FIGS. 11 and 13.Bearing blocks 262 and 264 respectively welded to the sideplates 258,260 support the spindle 266 for the rear roller 270 which rides on theunder surface of plate 218. The intermediate portion of the lowersurface of channel 256 rides on the terminal roller 252 as shown inFIGS. 11 to 13.'Thereby the extension 28 is guided for reciprocablemovement in and out with respect to the jib boom 26, while a load may besupported by the hook 30 at its outer free end. The ram 232 has itsconnecting rod 276 attached by means of pintle 278 (FIG. 11) to theextension 28 for reciprocating it forth and back through the jib boom26.

Fluid Ram-Operating Connections As already stated, the mast 22 is freelyrotatable through any desired angle or number of rotations.

Reference has been made to the bolts 110 which position the ring nut I12and support the hub 116 of the driving worm gear for rotation of themast. The same bolts 110 also carry the top flange 284 on the fluiddistributor sleeve 286 (FIG. 14). Thus this sleeve is constrained torotate with the mast. Within it are numerous axial bores 288 in a numberappropriate for connection by means of fittings 290 with the variouspipes 292 which comprise in any desired number the operating connectionsto the various rams.

From each of the bores 288 in the distributor sleeve 286, a radial port294 leads laterally and communicates with a manifold channel 296 in aring 298. There are as many rings as there are bores so that in theevent an additional bore is provided it is a simple matter to use alonger sleeve 286 and add an additional manifold channel 296. FIGS. 5and 14 show rings 298, each with its own channel 296, and each served byan appropriate fluid pressure on relief line 300 placing the severalbores 298 and the pipes 292 within the mast in communication withsolenoidoperated control valves 302 which are also six in number tocontrol the six lines needed for the three rams which actuate the boom,the jib boom and the extension in this particular device. As best shownin FIG. 14, the inner periphery of each of the rings 298 is closelyfitted to the distributor sleeve 286 and each ring is shouldered on bothsides of its channel 296 to receive packing 299.

While the valve could be manually or fluid operated, We have shown inFIG. 5 valve-operating solenoids at 306 operated by current suppliedthrough cable 308. It will be apparent that in any position of the mast,and throughout any desired extent of mast rotation, the several ramsmounted at the top of the mast will be in continuous communicationthrough the distributor sleeve 286 and the coacting manifold rings 298with the respective control valves. These may be operated directly andmanually or may be programmed or may be operated remotely by power, asdesired.

It will be obvious to anyone skilled in the art that the several valves302 constitute pressure sources which can be supplied with fluid underpressure from any desired point and in any desired manner. For example,I have shown diagrammatically in FIG. 5 an electric motor 320 driving apump 322 which has an inlet connection 324 from the reservoir 74 and anoutlet connection fragmentarily illustrated at 326 and leading to suchof the valves 302 as control pressure. Such of the valves 302 as handlereturn fluid may connect through pipe 328 with reservoir 72. The tworeservoirs may be connected with each other as indicated by pipe 330 inFIG. 3. All of these details are optional.

Stabilizers It is convenient to use the mounting plates 34 for frame 20as supports for brackets 310 for the laterally projecting arms 38 whichcooperate with the upper stabilizer members 40 to brace the frame 20.The general arrangement is shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. Preferably, theupper members 40 of the stabilizer legs have a boxlike structurecomparable to that of the boom and jib boom as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13.The leg extension members 42 are comparable to the boom extension 28,being reciprocable by rams 44 on ways provided by the upper leg members40. An operative position is shown at the left in FIG. 16 and retractedposition is shown at the right. The arms 38 have upper and lowerfittings 3112 and 314 fastened to the sides of the upper leg members 40(FIG. 17). The top ends of leg members 40 may be connected pivotally tobrackets 316 welded to the sides 50 of frame 20.

The feet 46 at the lower ends of the leg extensions 42 are pivoted at318. They conform to the ground when the extensions are lowered at theground level indicated at 320 in FIG. 16. When the extension isretracted, the foot may engage the end of arm 38 to pivot to theposition shown in full lines at the right in FIG. 16.

We claim:

1. A hoist comprising a hoist frame, a mast rotatable with respectthereto, and boom means for which the mast provides a transversefulcrum, the frame comprising a pair of upstanding parallel sidemembers, a central tube received between said side members through whichthe mast extends, and bracing means connected with the side members andwith said tube, the side members of the frame being channel shaped andprovided with flanges having upright marginal portions turned inwardly,the bracing means including webs connected to the side members betweensaid flanges and also connected with the inwardly turned flange margins,said webs extending longitudinally of and being connected with saidcentral tube and with said inwardly turned flange margins along theirentire length, forming cavities between the side members and said tube.

2. A hoist according to claim I in which the frame includes a top platespanning said side members and connected therewith and with said bracingmeans and tube and constituting a top closure for said .cavities, and asecond plate connected with the lower portions of said bracing means andwith said side members and tube and constituting a bottom for saidcavities.

1. A hoist comprising a hoist frame, a mast rotatable with respectthereto, and boom means for which the mast provides a transversefulcrum, the frame comprising a pair of upstanding parallel sidemembers, a central tube received between said side members through whichthe mast extends, and bracing means connected with the side members andwith said tube, the side members of the frame being channel shaped andprovided with flanges having upright marginal portions turned inwardly,the bracing means including webs connected to the side members betweensaid flanges and also connected with the inwardly turned flange margins,said webs extending longitudinally of and being connected with saidcentral tube and with said inwardly turned flange margins along theirentire length, forming cavities between the side members and said tube.2. A hoist according to claim 1 in which the frame includes a top platespanning said side members and connected therewith and with said bracingmeans and tube and constituting a top closure for said cavities, and asecond plate connected with the lower portions of said bracing means andwith said side members and tube and constituting a bottom for saidcavities.